add and simpliy by collecting like radical terms
14√20+5√20=

please help...what would I do first?

Question

add and simpliy by collecting like radical terms
14√20+5√20=

please help...what would I do first?

turingtest · Answer

this is just like
14x+5x
only x in this case is sqrt(20)
so first combine like terms, then simplify the radical.

mathteacher1729 · Answer

First, break apart the $\sqrt{20}$

$\sqrt{20}=\sqrt{4\cdot 5}=\sqrt{4}\sqrt{5}=2\sqrt{5}$

In other words, $\sqrt{20}=2\sqrt{5}$

turingtest · Answer

@math teacher
But don't you think she should do that last?

anonymous · Answer

@math teacher that is how I started the problem, and you cannot simplify any more so looks good to me! Thanks!!!

turingtest · Answer

I would have done it this way
$$14\sqrt{20}+5\sqrt{20}=19\sqrt{20}=19(2\sqrt{5})=38\sqrt{5}$$the difference is that I combined the like terms before simplifying the radical.

mathteacher1729 · Answer

@Turing Test -- since the expressions under the radical are the same, yes, your way is more efficient.  Either way will yield the same result of course, but Jess-ca should use whichever makes the most sense for her. :)